TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Army achieved excellence in recent flight tests of the tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless (TOW) missile. In September, the team scored its 100th TOW hit, which marked the successful engagement of 100 out of 100 targets.

During the testing program, which began in 2011, several missiles hit targets beyond 4,000 meters with zero inches of deviation from the aim point in either altitude or azimuth, demonstrating accuracy and reliability.

"TOW continues to build on its legacy as one of the most accurate and effective precision assault weapon systems in militaries around the world," said Scott Speet, Raytheon Missile Systems' TOW program director. "At the same time, it remains the most affordable missile in its category."

The TOW weapon system features a family of multimission missiles fired from a variety of ground and helicopter platforms. Wireless TOW missiles include an RF transmitter added to the missile case and an RF receiver located inside the missile. Since no launcher modifications were required for the transition to wireless, this growth in capability is transparent to TOW customers.

About TOW The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless (TOW) weapon system, with the multimission TOW 2A, TOW 2B, TOW 2B Aero and TOW Bunker Buster missiles, is the premier long-range, precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing weapon system used throughout the world today. TOW is in service in more than 40 international armed forces and integrated on more than 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms worldwide. The TOW weapon system is expected to be in service with the U.S. military beyond 2025. December 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the TOW missile program, with more than 650,000 missiles produced.

About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.